2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the City of Dallas Landmarks program. Our current exhibition celebrates this anniversary and the rich architectural legacy of our community as recognized over the last four decades. We look at the process of designating a landmark, how that process has evolved over four decades and how the Dallas program fits into the context of the national preservation movement.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Center will host a panel discussion on the evolution of historic preservation in Dallas and present-day challenges and successes.  Panelists will include, among others:

Mark Doty, Historic Preservation Officer, City of Dallas
Veletta Forsythe Lill, former member of the Dallas City Council and preservation advocate
Virginia McAlester, Author and preservation advocate
David Preziosi, Executive Director, Preservation Dallas

The panel will discuss the current state of historic preservation in Dallas.  What challenges do owners and developers face in renovating historic architecture in this environment and economy?  What recent revisions have been made to the City’s preservation laws? What recent successes…and setbacks…have been seen in historic preservation?  What do the experts see as the future of historic preservation in our city?